Let the hype begin!
So the first game of the pre-season is in the books with Edmonton pinning the Saskatchewan Roughrider third stringers to the floor by a 35-12 mark.
I had thought this game might be closer and when the Riders were going to start their third string quarterbacks, the Eskimos might also have wanted to try out their backups. The idea is using the first exhibition game to see which guys are ready to play, the second game to work on timing and determining the final spots which may be too close to call.
Edmonton, Jebus bless them, decided to go with their starters to probably see how their running game might work and get some timing down with their newish corps of receivers, but probably also to beat down the Riders and start the buzz for their fans as the Schmoes try to get into the Grey Cup game they are hosting.
The obvious draws from the game from Edmonton’s point of view is Mike Reilly is ready to lead his team and Derrel Walker with Duke Williams looks like the lynchpins of the new Eskimo air attack. One interesting question for Edmonton was who was going to lead the running game since the Eskimo runners last season were like drummers for Spinal Tap – they tended to spontaneously combust after a gig or two.